Hi,My contractor installed my windows in June of 2005. Approximately in 2005, they replaced the windows as the argon gas leaked. Now again, the gas leaked but they are stating it was only a 5 or 10 yr warranty. I thought it was lifetime warranty on the windows. I can't find my warranty paperwork but I do still have the contractors contract. Does this sound right? Inside the windows looks like lead crystals/dust.

I do not have the documentation but I believe that a minimum 10 year seal failure should be expected, though I think 20 year is more likely.The contractor is not the one giving you the warranty it is Certainteed.

This is one of the many reasons we never recommend certainteed windows. The new certainteed windows will be found under the name MI Windows which also make Xact and Cutting Edge; all low quality.That said, you should be covered under your warranty.

The letter received today stated the warranty in effect in 1995 was a 10 year warranty on the glass and therefore it ended in 2005. The hardware components were covered for a 10 year period. The "limited lifetime warranty" applies only to the main window frame and sash frame.

"Certainteed further warrants for a period of 10 years following installation of the window that the insulating glass component of the window shall be free from material obstruction of vision as a result of dust or film formation on the interiorglass surface caused by a failure of the hermetic seal due to faulty manufacture. In the event any such defect shall occur during the applicable period, and so long as the original purchaser is still living and retains ownership of the property".

Could I argue that is the sash frame that is faulty? I don't know much about windows or their components but how would you know the leak occurred at the component or where the component meets the sash frame??? Lastly, Bryn Mawr I and II- how to tell the difference? I searched the internet and all I see is Bryn Mawr II and on.

I found the warranty and its different than what was sent to me. There is no mention of the hermatic seal failure or components, just vinyl lineals. They said today that Virep went out of business and therefore there is no warranty of any kind. Am I out of luck with Certainteed? Again, thanks to all who have taken the time to respond:)

CertainTeed Corporation (CertainTeed). subject tothe conditions and limitations listed herein, warrants its solid vinyl lineals. as specified for use inCertainTeed windows and patio doors, to be freefrom manufacturing defects, and when fabricatedaccording to CertainTeed's written instructions, andwhen subject to normal anil proper use. they arefurther warranted against peeling, flaking, blistering, and corrosion. This warraniy includes vinylproducts utilizing CertainTeed applied or authorized interior laminate. Should any manufacturingdefects occur during the lifetime of the originalpurchaser, and as long as the original purchaser isstill living and retains ownership of the property.CertainTeed will provide replacement vinyl linealsfor those vinyl lineals actually determined to bedefective (labor costs incurred in removing defective lineals are not covered by this warranty).CertainTeed further warrants for ten (10) yearsfollowing installation of the window or patio doorthat vinyl windows or patio doors utilizing aCertainTeed applied or authorized exterior coatingwill be free from manufacturing defects, including,when subject to normal and proper use. peeling,flaking, blistering and corrosion. In the event adefect occurs during the 10 year period citedabove. CertainTeed will provide replacement coatedvinyl lineals for those vinyl lineals actually determined to be defective (labor costs incurred inremoving defective lineals or installing the replacement lineals are not covered by this warranty).CertainTeed windows and patio doors are fabricated under license from CertainTeed. Accordingly,this warranty is extended only to those window andpatio door components manufactured byCertainTeed. i.e.. the vinyl lineals. Such matters asquality of installation, quality of fabrication, hardware, screens and screen frames, and insulatedglass units may be covered under other warrantiesas extended by the fabricators or their suppliers,but in any event are specificallyexcluded from thiswarranty.The coverage offered by this warranty automatically ceases upon the sale of the property or the deathof the last of the original owners of the property atthe time of installation. The coverage in this warranty is intended to cover individual homeownersand does not apply to products purchased by orinstalled upon property owned by. for example,corporations, governmental agencies, partnerships,trusts, religious organizations, schools, condominiums or cooperative housing arrangements, orinstalled on apartment buildings or any other typeof buildings or premises not used by individualhomeowners as their residences. For such purchasers or entities to which the coverage does notapply, the warranty period will be twenty (20)years following the date of original installation,except the warranty period for CertainTeed windows or patio doors with an authorized exteriorcoating will be 10 years.LimilationsCertainTeed shall not be liable for. and this warrantydoes not apply to, any failure, defects or damagesresulting from or connected with: misuse, neglect,improper storage, vandalism, improper window ordoor maintenance, or use of accessor)' products orhardware not manufactured by or approved for useby CertainTeed; impact of foreign objects, fire,hurricane, tornado, earthquake, or other violentstorm or casualty or Acts of God; building movement, distortion or settlement or structural failureof walls or foundations; or localized heating or anyother cause not involving inherent manufacturingdefects in the material supplied by CertainTeed.The vinyl lineals manufactured by CertainTeed arenot warranted against the effects of air pollution,exposure to harmful chemicals, mildew or normalweathering resulting from exposure to the elements. This warranty does not apply to CertainTeedvinyl windows and patio doors which have beenpainted, varnished, laminated or coated by anapplicator not authorized by CertainTeed.CertainTeed reserves the right lo discontinue ormodify any of its products, including the color ofsaid products, without notice to the homeowner/consumer, and shall not be liable to the homeowner/consumer as a result of such discontinuance ormodification. In the event products covered by thiswarranty are no longer available. CertainTeed shallhave the right to substitute products which, in thesole discretion of CertainTeed. are of equal valueand quality.Replacement components may vary slightly in coloror gloss in comparison to original components as aresult of normal weathering. CertainTeed shall notbe liable to the homeowner/consumer as a result ofsuch variance.Other ConditionsTHIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OFALL OTHER ORAL OR WRITTEN WARRANTIES. LIABILITIES OR OBLIGATIONS OFCERTAINTEED. PERTINENT STATE LAWSHALL CONTROL FOR WHAT PERIOD OFTIME SUBSEQUENT TO SALE A CONSUMER/HOMEOWNER MAY SEEK A REMEDY PURSUANT TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESSFOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENTSHALL CERTAINTEED BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGESOF ANY KIND. INCLUDING ANY DAMAGETO THE BUILDING. ITS CONTENTS OR ANYPERSONS THEREIN. RESULTING FROM THEBREACH OF ANY WARRANTY SET FORTHHEREIN. NO REPRESENTATIVE OF CERTAINTEED OR ITS DISTRIBUTORS OR DEALERS IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANYCHANGE OR MODIFICATIONS TO THISWARRANTY. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOWLIMITATIONS ON OR THE EXCLUSION OFINCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS MAYNOT APPLY TO YOU.This warranty gives you specific legal rights, andyou may also have other rights which vary fromstate to state.

Back in 1995, Certainteed windows were manufactured by licensed fabricators who bought the lineals, along with the right to fabricate a "Certainteed" product. The warranty that you have covers only the frame and sash components produced by Certainteed. The insulated glass units were the responsibility of the fabricator and not Certainteed. Do you have any additional warranty that would state what the coverage was on the glass units? My guess is that it was not for more than 10 years. If the fabricator is out of business, the warranty expired along with them. Many manufacturers only had 5 - 10 year prorated warranties back then on the IG units.

Another reason most on here warn consumers against Certainteed windows. You are unfortunately out of gas on a warranty claim. As I see it you have 3 options. 1. See if a local glass company can replace just the glass. 2. Find out how much M.I. will charge to make new sashes and then hope something else doesn't go wrong. 3. Just replace the entire window.

As I see it you have 3 options. 1. See if a local glass company can replace just the glass. 2. Find out how much M.I. will charge to make new sashes and then hope something else doesn't go wrong. 3. Just replace the entire window.

I did ask MI if they could sell me windows at discounted price, answer was no. I'm still waiting for return calls for replacing the glass but the problem is that I can't leave the window "open" for X number of days unless it can be done the same day. Lastly, I am considering new windows but I want one with a good warranty, an outstanding warranty, and one company to deal with.

As a consumer, I feel taken advantage of as I bought Certainteed windows. I had no idea about Virep or there was another warranty to consider. To me, Certainteed made the windows and wherever they got their parts, whomever made them with their label, it is still their window. No warranty was provided for the glass and no disclosure that the glass is another company. I bought from one company in my opinion. A consumer now has to look at each contractor a window company conducts business with is just absurd to me, just my opinion.

These windows have already been replaced in 2005 for the same problem and 6 years later its happening again, something doesn't seem right.

Again, thanks to all who took the time to answer my questions and help out, I do really appreciate it!

Once again, I'm really sorry this has happened to you. A lot of us on this board have to put up with consumers and other contractors bashing us because we like certain brands more than others. Your experience highlights why we recommend the brands we do.

I don't see why you have to leave the windows open while waiting for new sashes. Just order the new sashes and when they arrive, just remove the old sash and put the new ones in. Takes less than a minute per window with most balances.

Sorry ecostar, I did not mean to come across as bashing you and other contractors. It's really the company that I am not happy with as well as their marketing of their product. I'm sure there are many fabulous contractors and window companies out there, I just happen to find one that doesn't appear so great.

I'll order a new sash, I thought they needed the frame to install the glass into. I'm also looking at Marving and Pella windows but I'm still researching companies to see how they compare in quality, price, warranty, and energy efficiency.

Marvin makes a beautiful, high quality product (and pella's high end is not too bad) , but any new wood window is going to be hard-pressed to pull off 20 yrs without meticulous maintenance, and the warranty will certainly be lacking (20/10) ... For longevevity of product and warranty, high end vinyl really can't be beat. You may say," well I have vinyl", but unfortunately, as other posters have mentioned, that product is not highly regarded.

Helen, I was not saying you were bashing those of us on this board. Over the many years I have been posting here, we have had consumers and contractors tell us that Certainteed windows are great quality and have the best warranties and that we just promote certain brands because we sell them. The truth is we sell certain brands because of our first hand experiences in dealing with them and seeing first hand how certain manufacturers treat consumers. Your situation is a pretty good example of what we are talking about.

If you stick with the brands that most of us agree we like, you should be fine if you decide that replacing your windows is your best option. We will also be here for you to help with your decision and help you learn what's important and what's just sales hype.

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